DINING FOR DISASTER RELIEF TO HELP A-R-C IN JUNE
In recognition of the 1 year anniversary of the June 2008 flood, the Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur County Chapter of the American Red Cross is partnering with several area restaurants to raise money for the local Chapter's Disaster Relief Fund.  Restaurants participating in Dining for Disaster Relief on most Monday - Thursdays in June include: Johnny Carino's on June 29th and Texas Roadhouse on June 30th.  Customers must bring the appropriate coupon with them, present it with the bill payment, 10-15 % of the total will be donated back to the Red Cross.  For more information or to have restaurant coupons e-mailed or faxed to you, call 812-379-9551 or e-mail: meanablearc@incolumbus.com. 

BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY FAIR EVENTS BEFORE THE FAIR OPENS
Before the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair opens, there will be some events coming up.

*Saturday, June 27th, the 4-H Dog Show at the Livestock Pavilion at the fairgrounds at 8:00 AM

*Saturday, June 27th, the Baby Personality Contest at the Family Arts Building from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM.  Pre-register by Wednesday, June 24th.  Visit www.bartholomewcountyfair.com for more information.

*Sunday, June 28th, the 4-H Fair Queen Contest at Columbus North's Erne Auditorium at 7:00 PM

*Friday, July 3rd, Pre-registration deadline for 2 children's contests: The Jack & Jill and the Little Miss & Mister contests.  Both take place on Sunday, July 12th.

*Saturday, June 27th - Friday, July 3rd- 2009 American Junior Simmental Association National Classic at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds and Southside Elementary.  For more information, contact Jill Harker at 812-371-9591or jharker@e-farmcredit.com.

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR 2009 BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON 
The St. Jude Heroes Team has a limited number of entries available in the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.  Registration closes on Tuesday, June 30th.  As a St. Jude Hero, you'll have access to "Charity Village" the day of the race (exclusive only to charity runners) where there will be a private tent, private gear check, bathrooms, massages, food & drinks, and your family and friends can meet you there after the race.  The night before the race, there will be a complimentary team pasta party where you'll have a chance to meet your fellow St. Jude runners and a local patient family.  The marathon will be on Sunday, October 11th.  For more information, visit www.stjudeheroes.org or call 800-621-5359.

COLUMBUS STAR QUILTERS MEETING AT MASONIC TEMPLE IN COLUMBUS
The Columbus Star Quilters will meet on Wednesday, July 1st, at 9:30 AM at the Masonic Temple, Rocky Ford and Taylor Roads, Columbus.  This month's program will be a service project for our military forces deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.  For more information, call Kate O'Halloran at 812-375-1127.

AMERICAN SPIRIT COLORING EVENT IN COLUMBUS
The PSI Iota Xi Thrift Shop has an American Spirit Coloring Event through Friday, July 3rd, for all youngsters.  Pick up your coloring sheet at the thrift shop at the corner of 8th and California Streets in Columbus on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM.  The grand prize will be a patriotic basket of goodies.  

DRIVE THROUGH LUNCH AT BARTH. CO. EXTENSION OFFICE IN COLUMBUS
The Bartholomew County 4-H Council will sponsor a Drive Through Lunch on Thursday, July 2nd, from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at the Bartholomew County Extension Office, 1971 State Street, Columbus.  The lunch will consist of pork burgers, baked beans, chips, cookies, and drinks for $6.00.  You can call in orders at 812-379-1665.

VOLUNTEERS FOR CHANGE DISCUSSIONS IN COLUMBUS
Volunteers for Change, in cooperation with the Eastside Community Center, will present a series of moderated discussions on the local economic situation at 7:00 PM at The Ridge, 51 Brooks Street, off State Street, in Columbus.  The series, The Economy in Crisis: How the Stimulus Program can Help Real People, Right Here, Right Now, will be conducted on Thursdays through July.  The schedule and topics for each session are:

*July 2nd- Where is the money going?

*July 9th- Healthcare and education

*July 16th- Energy, transportation, and the environment

*July 23rd- Jobs, housing, and credit  

INDEPENDENCE DAY VETERANS MEMORIAL RIDE IN SEYMOUR
The Born Again Motorcycle Ministry of Indiana will host the inaugural Independence Day Veterans Memorial Ride on Saturday, July 4th.  The ride will start at the Seymour Veterans Memorial at Gaiser Park in Seymour.  Sign in from 7:00 - 8:30 AM with the ride leaving at 9:00 AM.  Cost is $10 per motorcycle.  The ride will be going to Patriot, IN for the Changing of the Flags ceremony at their Veterans Memorial.  For more information, contact Irv & Jill Benge at 739-2577 or email bammofindiana@yahoo.com.

BEATLE HUGHES GOLF CLASSIC AT PINE HILLS GOLF COURSE IN HOLTON
The 2nd Annual Beatle Hughes Golf Classic will be held on Saturday, July 4th, at the Pines Hill Golf Course in Holton, IN.  There will be flights starting at 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM.  Cost is $40 per person/ $160 per team, optional skins $20 per team, and mulligans $5 each (limit 1 per person).  For more information, contact Erin at 812-689-3533 or 812-498-2150 or email at pinehillsholton@gmail.com. 

GIVE BACK THIS SUMMER AND DONATE BLOOD
The American Red Cross will have opportunities for you to give blood.  Blood drives coming up are:

*Saturday, July 4th, from 1:00 - 6:00 PM at Ceraland, 3989 S. 525 East, Columbus

*Sunday, July 5th, from Noon - 5:00 PM at Culver's, 90 Johnson Blvd., Columbus

*Monday, July 6th, from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM at Ivy Tech, 4475 Central Ave., Columbus

*Monday, July 6th, from 2:30 - 6:30 PM at Hope Moravian Church, 202 Main Street, Hope  

Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit givebloodgivelife.org to make an appointment or for more information.  Eligible donors must be at least 17 years old, or 16 years old with a signed Red Cross parental/guardian consent form where state permits, must weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health. 

5K TWILIGHT RUN/ WALKS AT CLIFTY CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The Twilight Run/ Walk series will be 5K non-competitive run/ walks to be held on Wednesdays, July 8th and July 22nd.  These events will take place at Clifty Creek Elementary School, 4625 E. 50 N., Columbus, starting at 7:00 PM.  Registration begins at 6:15 PM.  Cost is $10.00 for a single race or $25.00 for all three.  T-shirts will be available for $10.00.  A door prize drawing will be held after each run.  Proceeds will go to the Columbus East Cross Country team.  For more information, contact Aaron Hanson at hanson_214@comcast.net.   

DOG PARK FOR A DAY - COLUMBUS 
The Columbus Indiana Dog Park Association is having three "Dog Park For A Day" events, July 11th and 25th and August 8th. Hours are from 9am-12noon at Willow Crossing Health & Rehab, 3550 Central Avenue, Columbus. $5 per dog. Bring your leash, a copy of rabies vaccination, waste bags, flat buckle collars are recommended. For details, go to DogParkForADay.

FREETOWN JULY FESTIVAL TRACTOR DRIVE 
The Freetown July Festival Tractor Drive will be on Saturday, July 11th, at the Freetown Church of Christ starting at 9:00 AM.  Participants are invited to take part in the parade at 1:00 PM.  Trophies will be presented to the oldest driver, the youngest driver, the participant who traveled the farthest, and the oldest tractor.  For more information, call Jake Taylor at 358-2508.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FAIR AT INDIANA BLACK EXPO
The Employment Opportunity Fair at the Indiana Black Expo will be on Thursday, July 16th, from 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM at the Indiana Convention Center, Hall A, in downtown Indianapolis.  Over 100 employers, including many of the state's radio and TV broadcasters, will be there to accept your resume, interview, and hire you. Bring your resume and dress to impress.  The event is free.  For more information, call 317-925-2702.

COLUMBUS POLICE DEPARTMENT FIREARM SAFETY COURSE 
The Columbus Police Department is offering their Firearm Safety Course on Saturdays, July 25th and September 19th.  The course, 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM, provides information on firearm types, functions, ammunition and storage, emphasizes safe firearm handling, and includes firing range time and encourages further development of shooting skills.  The cost of the course is $50.  Attendees should bring their own handgun, suitable belt & holster, and 300 rounds of factory new ammunition.  Safety glasses and hearing protection are provided for use on the range.  Go to www.columbuspd.com/downloads/firearmssafety.pdf and scroll to bottom of the page for the downloadable registration form.  For more information, call Detective Tom Foust at 812-372-2642 or e-mail at tfoust@columbuspd.com.

FISHING FOR RELIEF FISHING TOURNAMENT

From now until July 31st, Bob Evans Restaurants in Columbus, Franklin and Shelbyville are hosting their inaugural Flood Relief Fishing Tournament. Catch a fish in any Indiana lake or stream, take a photo and enter for a chance to win a $50 Bob Evans gift card. Kids 12 and under can enter to win a rod and reel set, fishing gear and a free kids meal. Visit the participating Bob Evans for a registration form and more details. All registration fees go to the American Red Cross Local Disaster Relief Fund.

CEHS AND CNHS CLASSES OF 1974 REUNION AT BARTH. CO. 4-H FAIRGROUNDS

The Columbus East and Columbus North High school classes of 1974 will have a combined reunion on Saturday, August 1st, at the Pavilion Building of the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds from 6:00 PM - Midnight.  There will be a hog roast with all the trimmings with other weekend activities still in the works.  Cost is $25.00 per person.  Register by going to www.74classreunion.com or call Camille Willmore (North) at 812-342-4199 or Denise Mace Brown (East) at 812-343-9484 for more information.  

CEHS AND CNHS CLASSES OF 1989 REUNION AT FACTORY 12 EVENT LOFT

The Columbus East and Columbus North High School classes of 1989 will have a combined reunion on Saturday, August 1st, at the Factory 12 Event Loft in Columbus starting at 7:00 PM.  The event will be catered by The Fork 532 with heavy appetizers, a cash bar by the 4th Street Bar & Grill, and Rob Gaskill will provide the entertainment.  Cost is $40 per person.  Please make checks payable to the Columbus Class of 1989 Reunion, P.O. Box 406, Columbus, IN 47202.  Pre-payment is required and reservations will be accepted through June 15th.  If you have contact information for members of the Class of 1989 e-mail Michelle Newland at michellen@comcast.net for East grads or Robin (Loheide) Sweany at rsweany@comcast.net for North grads.    

EVENING KIWANIS TO SPONSOR ART IN DONNER PARK 

The Evening Kiwanis will present Art in Donner Park on Saturday, August 15th, and Sunday, August 16th.  Show hours will be 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM on Saturday and 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM on Sunday.  This is a fine art and craft fair for the following mediums: ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, paper, wood, mixed media, prints, painting (acrylic, oil, watercolor), photography, and sculpture.  ALL work must be for sale and have prices clearly marked.  Fees are: $20 jury/application fee, $100 for a 10' X 10' booth, $180 for a 10' X 20', and $30 additional for end of aisle (open on 2 sides).  To apply, send 5 slides, photos, or digital images on CD (4 of your work and 1 of your booth display.  Deadline for entries is Friday, May 15th, and artists accepted to the show will be notified no later than Monday, June 15th.  For more information, call 812-372-0762, toll free at 866-221-2939, or e-mail at banderson@stillframes.com.

ROCK THE PARK AT MILL RACE PARK IN COLUMBUS
The 2nd Annual Rock the Park will be on Saturday, August 22nd, featuring Blues Traveler and The Elms, at Mill Race Park starting at 7:00 PM.  Tickets are sale now for $18.00 at White River Broadcasting and at www.artsincolumbus.org.  Rock the Park is sponsored by White River Broadcasting, the Columbus Area Arts Council, Ivy Tech Community College, The Republic, Irwin Union Bank, Cummins, and Enkei.

HOSPICE LABOR DAY WEEKEND CONCERT AT MILL RACE PARK IN COLUMBUS
The Hospice of South Central Indiana and EMCON Technologies will sponsor the Annual Free Labor Day Weekend Concert on Saturday, September 5th, at Mill Race Park starting at 7:00 PM.  The concert will feature local favorites 40 Years of College to kick things off then Starship starring Mickey Thomas.  All proceeds will benefit the Hospice of South Central Indiana.

TOASTMASTERS CLUB IN SEYMOUR
A new Toastmasters Club is being started in Seymour.  The club meets every Monday at 6:00 PM at the Seymour Chamber of Commerce.  Join the club and you'll develop better speaking and presentation skills, learn to think quickly and clearly on your feet, and build strong leadership abilities.  For more information, call Shawn at 812-707-9583 or visit www.toastmasters.org.

BARTH. CO. SENIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD NOMINATIONS SOUGHT
Nominations are being accepted now through Monday, August 10th, for the 53rd Annual Bartholomew County Senior Citizen of the Year.  Nominations are to demonstrate a life-long history of service to the community, both before and after retirement.  Nominees must be living, at least 65 years old, and a resident of Bartholomew County.  Nomination forms can be picked up at the Senior Center.  The award recipient will be honored at a reception at the Senior Expo and Resource Fair at Fair Oaks Mall on September 1st.

AMERICAN RED CROSS TRAINING COURSES IN COLUMBUS
The Bartholomew, Brown, & Decatur County Chapter of the American Red Cross will offer Health & Safety and Disaster Volunteer training courses at 931 Repp Drive, Columbus. The schedule of the courses are:

*Saturday, June 27th- Community CPR Course- 1 year certification- 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
*July 7th & 8th- Community CPR Course- 1 year certification- 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
*July 20th & 22nd- Community CPR Course- 1 year certification- 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
*Saturday, July 25th- Community CPR Course- 1 year certification- 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

If you are interested in any of these course please call 812-379-9551 or 1-800-813-3260 or visit the office at 931 Repp Drive, Columbus, Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.  Health and safety courses must be paid in full at time of registration.

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES TO OFFER TOBACCO CESSATION PROGRAM
Healthy Communities will offer an 8 week Tobacco Cessation Program starting on Thursday, June 18th, from 6:00 - 7:30 PM at the Hospice of South Central Indiana.  Registration is $20 and can be made by calling 812-376-5092.  The program is open to anyone 18 and older who lives or works in Bartholomew County.  Free nicotine patches are provided to program participants (optional) by the Bartholomew County Health Department.

COLUMBUS SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION CORNHOLE TOURNAMENTS
The Columbus Softball Association will have double elimination Cornhole Tournaments on Tuesday evenings at the Lincoln Park Softball Complex.  Entry fee is $25 per team with teams consisting of 2 people.  Tournaments start at 6:30 PM.  For more information, call 379-4872.

CENTRA CREDIT UNION BRANCHES ACCEPTING DONATIONS
All Centra Credit Union branches are accepting donations for the American Red Cross Indiana Flood Disaster Relief Fund.  Donations can be in cash or check and can be designated for either the Bartholomew/Brown County Chapter or the Jackson County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

VETERANS IN NEED OF LONG TERM HOSPITAL CARE
Are you an honorably discharged veteran?  Are you in need of long term hospital help, but don't think there are any options for you?  If you answered yes to both of those questions, you are probably entitled to more benefits than you realize.  Forty nine states and Puerto Rico currently have state run and funded facilities that provide various types of care at virtually no cost to you.  If you or someone you know is in search of assistance, but not sure if you qualify call their toll free number at 1-866-331-1944.  

COLUMBUS CIVIL AIR PATROL
If you are a young adult 12 years and older, you're invited to participate in a fun and exciting opportunity to help our community and start working firsthand in emergency service, aerospace education, flight programs, and military familiarization.  Learn more at the Columbus Civil Air Patrol meetings on Tuesdays from 7:00 - 9:00 PM at the Columbus Municipal Airport or call (317) 398-8258.  

ATTERBURY-BAKALAR AIR MUSEUM IN COLUMBUS
The Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum in Columbus is open Tuesdays - Fridays from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and Saturdays from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. The museum, located near the airport, offers exhibits and displays from the W.W. II, Korean, and Vietnam War era. There is no admission charge, but donations are welcome.

ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS
The Alzheimer's Association in Columbus holds caregiver support group meetings on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM at 1252 Washington Street, Columbus.  For more information, call Janet Sharp at 376-7688 or the Alzheimer's Association at 1-800-272-3900.

ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN
Advocates For Children, an organization dedicated to speaking on behalf of abused and neglected children in south central Indiana, is in need of volunteers in Bartholomew, Decatur, Jennings, and Jackson counties.  The need is great, and we are asking persons interested in helping these children to call locally at (812) 372-2808 or toll free at (877) 604-9402 for more information.  Advocates for Children provides volunteer advocates for abused and neglected children to ensure that they are given safe, loving, and permanent homes as quickly as possible.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Are you looking for a volunteer experience for your entire family?  Host a foreign exchange student !  Every day becomes extraordinary when you welcome a talented high school student from another culture into your home.  To learn more, call E-F Foundation for Foreign Study at 800-44-SHARE. 

FLU SHOT REMINDER FROM THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION
We all know someone who should get an influenza vaccination each year: people with chronic medical conditions, anyone over 50, pregnant women, children 6 months through 18 years...and people who live with or care for them.  In fact, anyone wishing to reduce the risk of contacting influenza should get vaccinated.  For more details, go to facesofinfluenza.org.

UNINSURED HELP LINE AWARENESS
Did you know that nearly one-third of 47 million uninsured Americans are eligible for government health coverage but not signed up? Could you be eligible? Call the Uninsured Help Line at 1-800-234-1317.

LEARN MORE INDIANA
Learn More Indiana is here as the state's college and career connection to help students, parents, and adult learners make their college dreams a reality.  To find out more call toll-free
1-800-992-2076, or log onto www.learnmoreindiana.org.

CLICK IT OR TICKET
The governor's council on impaired and dangerous driving reminds all Hoosiers to buckle up- because if you're caught without your seatbelt fastened, you will get a ticket.

INDIANA UNCLAIMED.COM
Find money you can play with at Indiana-Unclaimed.com, a free public service of the Indiana Attorney General's Office.

INDIANA TOBACCO PREVENTION & CESSATION
Get FREE help from trained health coaches and FREE nicotine replacement patches or gum to help you quit smoking.  Call today at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

PREVENTING HOME FIRES
Do you know what you and your family can do to prevent home fires? To learn more about home fire safety and prevention, log onto redcross.org.

NATIONAL DIABETES EDUCATION PROGRAM
One in 3 adults has diabetes and pre-diabetes.  Are you one of them?  The National Diabetes Education Program is your source for free information on prevention and control.  Call 1-888-693-NDEP or click on www.yourdiabetesinfo.org.  A message from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.